Samsung Review
The Galaxy Buds4 Pro offer clever Galaxy-only features, but our performance data shows they're middle-of-the-pack for sound and ANC. At $250, that's a hard sell unless you live in Samsung's world.
The 30-Second Version
Solid Galaxy buds with great ecosystem features, but middling core performance for the price. Sound and ANC scores lag behind top rivals. Only worth it for die-hard Samsung users who will use the AI tricks.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro are aiming for the premium wireless earbud crown. They pack dual drivers for detailed sound, adaptive noise cancellation, and a suite of AI features like live translation, especially if you're deep in the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem.
But our data tells a more nuanced story. While they're solid all-rounders, their performance scores don't quite match the marketing hype, landing them in the middle of the pack for sound and ANC. They're a good pair of buds, but they're fighting in a very crowded ring.
Performance
Performance is a mixed bag. The dual-speaker setup delivers clear audio, and the Hi-Res codec is nice for detail, but our overall sound score puts it in the 36th percentile. That means a lot of other buds sound better. The adaptive ANC is handy, but again, it's only in the 36th percentile, so don't expect it to mute the world like the top competitors can. Call quality is decent, scoring in the 53rd percentile for mic performance, but connectivity and comfort are just average.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dual drivers deliver clear, detailed audio. 78th
- Adaptive ANC adjusts to your environment. 69th
- Samsung ecosystem features like Live Translate are genuinely useful.
- Intuitive touch controls are responsive and easy to use.
Cons
- Battery life scores are poor, in the 14th percentile. 10th
- Sound and ANC performance lag behind key rivals. 16th
- The fit is just average for comfort. 35th
- They're expensive for what you get performance-wise.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Water Resistance | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $250, the value proposition is tough. You're paying a premium price, but our performance data shows you're not getting premium-tier results in key areas like sound, ANC, or battery. You're really paying for the Samsung-specific features. If you don't own a recent Galaxy phone, a big chunk of what you're buying becomes irrelevant, making it hard to recommend over competitors that offer better core performance for the same money.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up, the Buds4 Pro struggle. The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra simply crush it on noise cancellation and have better sound scores. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 offer a more seamless experience for iPhone users and often have better mic quality. Even the Technics EAH-AZ80 often beats it on pure audio fidelity. The Buds4 Pro's unique selling point is its deep Galaxy integration, but if that's not your main concern, there are objectively better performers for your cash.
| Spec | Samsung | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Technics EAH-AZ80 Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Sony WF-1000XM6 Sony - WF-1000XM6 Best Truly Wireless Noise | Jabra Evolve2 Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-C MS Earbuds with USB-C | Apple AirPods Apple - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | - | In-Ear | In-Ear | in-ear | In-Ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 6 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 18 | 16 | 12 | 25 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | Yes | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | Water-Resistant |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 34.5 | 64 | 36.8 | 43 | 16.3 | 69.2 | 77.7 | 10.3 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless Noise-Canceling Earbuds 2nd Gen Compare | 96.1 | 87.8 | 91.2 | 99.2 | 69.6 | 93.2 | 98.5 | 93 |
| Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Compare | 82.6 | 99.9 | 91.2 | 98.4 | 69.6 | 93.2 | 98.5 | 93 |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 Best Truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Compare | 82.6 | 87.8 | 91.2 | 99.1 | 92.1 | 69.2 | 98.5 | 97.1 |
| Jabra Evolve2 Evolve2 Buds Compare | 82.6 | 98.9 | 99.3 | 88.3 | 94.6 | 93.2 | 97.2 | 98.1 |
| Apple AirPods Noise-Canceling Compare | 96.1 | 87.8 | 81.4 | 92.1 | 91.5 | 93.2 | 97.7 | 98.4 |
Common Questions
Q: How is the battery life on the Galaxy Buds4 Pro?
Our data shows battery performance is a weak point, scoring in the bottom 14th percentile compared to other wireless earbuds. You'll likely need to charge the case more often than with competitors.
Q: Do I need a Samsung phone to use these?
No, they'll work with any Bluetooth device, but you'll lose access to the headline features like Live Translate and the advanced AI voice commands, which require a Galaxy S26 series phone.
Q: How good is the noise cancellation?
The adaptive ANC is convenient, but its effectiveness ranks in the 36th percentile. It's good, but not class-leading. For the strongest silence, look at Sony or Bose models.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're not a Samsung phone user. You'll be overpaying for features you can't access. Also, if battery life is your top concern, look elsewhere immediately. And if you want the absolute best sound or noise cancellation your money can buy, the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra are better choices.
Verdict
Buy these only if you're fully committed to the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem and will use features like Live Translate daily. For anyone else, especially if you prioritize top-tier sound or the absolute best noise cancellation, you can find better options that deliver more for your $250.